“Think Water has always been supportive of ongoing training and development, so when the chance came up to complete an apprenticeship, I jumped at it,” Simon says. “It was an opportunity to grow my skills and challenge myself in a new area.”

When he first joined Think Water in 2021 as a qualified electrical technician the company wasn’t yet working on civil infrastructure projects, but owner, and Simon’s supervisor, Michael Stevens was working hard to expand into new areas, creating opportunities to grow the businesses.

“Over the last few years, we’ve secured council work and developed strong relationships with companies such as Fulton Hogan and Downer. Through those relationships, I’ve had the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the civil industry,” he says.

“I’m proud of myself for keeping an open mind and giving it a go. It would have been easy to stay within my comfort zone as an electrician, but taking on this apprenticeship has challenged me and helped me grow both personally and professionally. I also hope it sets a good example for my kids, showing them that it’s important to take opportunities, keep learning, and give things a go even when they’re outside your normal comfort zone.”

Simon’s hard work and commitment to training has paid off. As well as loving his job, he was recently named the inaugural Connexis Apprentice of the Year in the Connexis Civil Industry Training and Development Awards. Simon was also previously awarded a Connexis Outward Bound scholarship, given to those recognised as future leaders of the infrastructure sectors in which Connexis offers training.

“All those Wednesday nights spent attending study classes have paid off! I knew I was up against some strong competition in the awards and the other finalists were all very deserving, so I’m really proud of the achievement.

“It was awesome to come back to the team and celebrate the win with them. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my team at work and from my wife and kids at home. Without that support, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have.”

Simon says the biggest lesson he’s learned through the apprenticeship is that there is always more to learn. “It has reinforced that learning doesn’t stop once you achieve a qualification. Connexis offers further opportunities to continue developing your skills, and that’s something that really appeals to me. Once I complete this Level 4 apprenticeship, I already know the learning won’t stop there.”

When it comes to staying on track with his training, learning from past mistakes has been a big motivator for Simon. “Earlier in my career, if I made a mistake, I sometimes tried to fix it before anyone found out. I’ve learned that this approach rarely ends well. These days, I believe honesty and accountability are far more important than trying to be perfect. I try to be open when things go wrong and focus on continuous improvement.

“Being honest about challenges helps build trust, and that’s something I value highly. I also take pride in completing work to a high standard and knowing that people can rely on the quality of what I’ve done.”

Simon says he has also had great support from his Connexis Customer Service Account Manager, Tessa Williams, throughout his training. “She’s dedicated her time to attend our Wednesday night study sessions and has been incredibly supportive. I wouldn’t have entered the Apprentice of the Year Awards without her encouragement, and she pushed me to apply for the Outward Bound course, which turned out to be an amazing opportunity that I’m incredibly grateful to have experienced.

“Tessa has always gone above and beyond to support her apprentices, and I’m very thankful for everything she’s done for us at Think Water along the way.”

Some of the things Simon took away from his stint at Outward Bound were the strength of teamwork and the importance of approaching others with openness and respect.

“An important lesson was recognising that people should be treated the way they want to be treated, not necessarily how you would treat them. Everyone has their own way of working, and understanding that helps build stronger teams. The course reinforced the value of working together by using our complementary strengths,” he says.

“Outward Bound was an incredible experience. It ranks as one of the best experiences I’ve had. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.”

Simon also has some sound advice for those considering stepping into an apprenticeship or work-based training.

“When I started as an electrical apprentice, I assumed what I was learning then would be what I did for the rest of my working life. What I’ve discovered is that completing an apprenticeship and earning a trade qualification opens far more doors than you realise.

“My electrical trade has led me on a journey that has created opportunities to branch into the water and civil infrastructure sectors and continue developing new skills. I’d encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to get stuck in, complete their qualification, and use it as a stepping stone to keep learning, growing, and creating new opportunities throughout their career.”

Ready to skill up? Find out more about Connexis programmes developed with industry here. 

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“When many people enter this industry, becoming a labourer might not be their first job choice. Our approach is to work with them, to help them on their way towards the getting into the roles they aspire to and that will also benefit the business,” says HEB Construction Training Manager, David Hall.

David believes the training and pastoral support for learners and apprentices at the company is among the best in the country. HEB Construction won the National Connexis Civil Training and Development Award for its staff development programmes in 2023 and 2024.

HEB National Talent Development Manager Amy Baars and her team support and train more than 100 apprentices at HEB sites all across New Zealand, working with Connexis customer service account managers (CSAMs).

HEB Construction also provides support for those with learning or literacy challenges and while there is a dedicated training team, the whole company is involved in the success of learners.

David says, “Everyone is involved in supporting trainees, from senior management to engineers early in their careers. It’s all about building mutually beneficial relationships.”

Amy was impressed by the company’s commitment to and investment in learning when she started in her role in late 2024.

“We’re fortunate at HEB to have a dedicated team that supports apprentices and trainees through their professional development, backed by significant investment in both training and pastoral care.

“This support ensures that our team members are well-equipped to succeed, not just in their roles but also in their personal growth,” she says, adding that HEB operates the 70-20-10 model in how it supports its trainees, with 70% learning derived from on-the-job experiences, 20% through social interactions with peers and mentors, and 10% through formal training or education programs.

“Not all learning is in a classroom or from a book. Learning from others and through experience is crucial, and our people are open and real, sharing knowledge to help each other do their jobs and to grow their skills. There is a healthy and proactive learning culture across our projects, sites and offices.

“Our approach to training and development contributes to our strong staff retention. We’re able to develop career pathways that people might not have considered before, keeping people engaged and motivated.”

David adds that celebrating wins is another important part of developing a successful learning culture.

“In recent years some of our apprentices have won apprentice of the year in their regions. It’s amazing to see people who may not have had an opportunity for formal learning, thrive in these training contexts and even be in the limelight for their achievements.

“We make sure they’re recognised at HEB and everyone from their peers and managers across the business join in to celebrate them. This culture which values our people encourages and motivates others to take up further training or just be open to learning from one another.”

Amy adds, “That’s the beauty of qualifications.  Training, whether on the job or in the classroom, leads to recognition and ignites a passion for learning.

“Ultimately, good training support translates to more success for the business,” David says. 

“Training makes people feel more confident and valued, contributing to our high staff retention. Our employees become more agile and adaptable to client needs and are able to deliver great outcomes for our customers.”

Check out the HEB website for more information.

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